Glypican-4 based compositions and methods for treating and diagnosing insulin resistance

Abstract

Provided herein are methods for increasing insulin sensitivity in a subject. A method may comprise administering to a subject in need of increased insulin sensitivity a therapeutically effective amount of a glypican-4 agent. Also provided herein are methods for determining whether a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant. A method may comprise determining the level of glypican-4 in a subject, wherein an elevated level of glypican-4 indicates that a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for increasing insulin sensitivity in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need of increased insulin sensitivity a therapeutically effective amount of a glypican-4 agent, wherein the glypican-4 agent is a peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, or a peptide comprising amino acids 7-537 of SEQ ID NO: 11. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is insulin resistant. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has metabolic syndrome. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has type 2 diabetes. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 agent is a peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 protein comprises a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 protein is a soluble protein. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 agent is administered systemically. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 agent is administered into adipose tissue. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glypican-4 agent is a peptide comprising amino acids 7-537 of SEQ ID NO: 11.